Review: Fairest (From 6 May 2008)

Levine, Gail Carson. Fairest. 

This story takes place in a fantasy world of fairies, magic mirrors, centaurs, dragons, gnomes, ogres…and people. Levine has created a place in which these can all co-exist—with the exception of ogres, who will eat anyone and anything that crosses their path.
In the town of Ayortha lives a young girl named Aza, who desires nothing more than to be beautiful—or at least pretty. When she becomes the queen’s lady-in-waiting, she seems to have found a sympathetic friend; but things are not always as they seem.
Levine does not go to great lengths to describe things, but she paints a clear picture all the same. She uses first person, which allows the reader to see deeper into Aza’s character. Each chapter leaves the reader on edge, nearly frantic to find out what happens next. Fairest combines fantasy, action, and even a touch of romance, to create a story that should appeal to most anyone.